Thursday, October 12, 2017

Vanessa Morrison of Van's Doll Treasures



Our dear fellow blogger, Vanessa Morrison, of  Fashion Dolls at Van's Doll Treasures has lost her several-year battle with cancer.

Vanessa passed away on October 11, 2017.  She was a soldier until the end and continued to battle this deadly disease until her body could no longer fight.

I spoke to her about a month ago and, although she was basically bedridden, her plans were to begin physical therapy to strengthen her muscles so she could regain her ability to walk.

I thank God that Vanessa entered my life initially in 2005 when she was a porcelain doll maker, allowing me to share her artist profile in Black Doll-e-zine.  We lost contact afterward, but five years later, Vanessa invited me to visit and follow her blog.  So impressed with her doll stories, videos, and overall talent, in 2011, we began working on an article about her that was published in the 2012 Autumn Americana issue of Fashion Doll Quarterly.  I thank God even more that our friend, who shared our passion for dolls so creatively is no longer suffering.  She is now truly free.

Rest and create peacefully in paradise, dear Vanessa.  I will always remember you.

~~~~~~~~~~

In addition to her informative and entertaining blog posts, Vanessa's Youtube channel remains a testament to her knack for telling a good doll story, her creativity, attention to detail, and overall dedication to one of her many talents.


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44 comments:

  1. Devastating news. A terrible loss for our community. I am so so sad to hear this. I never met her in person, only via virtual conversations, but somehow, through sharing her creativity with us, she became like a real friend. This is just the saddest news.

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  2. It really is sad, Wendy. Vanessa was a true gem and a blessing to know.

    I am sure there are countless people like you and I who never met her in person but considered her a true friend. She was truly someone who never met a stranger.

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  3. I am truly saddened to hear this news. Vanessa was truly inspirational and encouraging to me when I started my blog here and also creating Chynadoll Creations. I will miss her chats and creativity. Rest easy my sister. Until we meet again.....

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    1. Vanessa was very supportive and an inspiration to many. She touched so many lives in a positive way.

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  4. My heart is truly heavy, in hearing this news. Though I understand that to be absent in the flesh is to be present with the Lord, she will be greatly missed.
    Van encouraged me, when I first started making Dioramas and especially with clothes and shoes for my Dena Doll. Apart from that, she was a lovely woman whom I loved to have communication. Blessings to her family; she will live on in our hearts.

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    1. Vanessa will be greatly missed, Brenova. Thank you for sharing how she encouraged you and otherwise touched your life.

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  5. I am so sad to hear of her passing! She was the first doll blogger I knew to do a video. I was always so impressed with her creativity. She truly raised the bar and give us something to aspire to. I would have never attempted a video if it was not for her. Some of my favorite other bloggers I met on her blog and my favorite diorama pieces and Doll clothes were made by her. I would have never attempted to sell anything if I had not met her. She was more important to my doll collection development than any Doll show or magazine. RIP good sister!

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    1. She absolutely did raise the bar in everything she did, Ms. Leo. She was such as inspiration to us all. Always optimistic.

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  6. This has truly made me sad, for I got to know Vanessa through her inspirational doll collecting, and blogs. That stirred up my creativity with my barbie's and ended up purchasing a Dena doll for myself, and started sewing for her, like Vanessa did. I bought so many of her beautiful doll clothes on Etsy. Vanessa, you will be missed by all your friends and family. I will be praying for your family-that God will give them peace, knowing that you are not suffering any longer.

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    1. I'm sure that each time you sew for Dena, fond memories of Vanessa will surface, Dorothea.

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  7. I barely know where to start. Thank you for letting us know. I had been checking every day hoping for a new blog post on her site. I knew that would be a sigh she was okay.

    Vanessa's site is the first doll blog I found and instantly followed. Not only was she talented, she was encouraging. I started my blog because of her. She was a kind and thoughtful person. I am truly saddened by the news of her passing.

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    1. You're welcome, Jay. I thought it was important for fellow bloggers and those who follow her blog to know. I tried to post a comment to her last blog, but comments older than 14 days to any post have to be approved by her. She mentioned to me once some time ago, long before her condition took a turn for the worst, that she should share her blogger password with me in case anything happened to her, but she never did.

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  8. I was so very saddened to read this news this morning. Vanessa was truly an inspiration to me, not only for her creative talent, but for her positivity and determination. I'll always remember her encouragement and her humor. I will miss her.

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  9. i am so sorry to hear this. I reached out to her in August to see how she was doing and to let her know how much she was missed. I met her several years ago at a doll show here in Atlanta....such a beautiful soul!! Ironically, I spoke of her today as I was showing some friends some dolly pictures. They ooh and ahh at her furniture pieces. She will be dearly missed. RIP my sister.

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    1. She's resting, GG. No more pain. No more suffering.

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  10. Very sad news. I concur with all the others she was such a kind person and an inspiration to family and friends. She will truly, truly be missed. I know the last few months were really rough not only health wise but also with the tree falling on her home. Rest Vanessa.

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    1. The road was rocky for her toward the end, but she is at peace now. That's what gives me comfort.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear this. She was a sweet woman, and I enjoyed her posts so much. She actually made a wonderful little couch for my doll cottage, back in 2011, right after I lost my father, and she knew the cottage was a special connection for me. She did such a beautiful job of it, and we had a lot of fun with picking fabrics. She loved the pillows and enjoyed mixing the fabrics to make it even prettier. I cherish that little couch, and now even more so. She will be missed, and remembered.

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    1. Stephanie,

      It's wonderful that you have the couch and enjoyed choosing the fabrics for it. I know you will forever treasure it.

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  12. This is such sad news, my heart is heavy. I just sent her a private message on Oct. 11 letting her know I was still praying for her. I guess God put that thought of her in my heart on that particular day. Vanessa also was one of the first people I connected with in the doll blog universe and although I never met her either, I felt like I knew her. She was one of the people who encouraged me to play rather that just display my dolls and she is one of the reasons I started to blog. She was a source of encouragement as I went through my own battle with breast cancer. I feel blessed to have known her and to own a sofa made by her as well as several outfits for my Dasia and Dena. Rest peacefully, sweet friend -- you will be missed.

    Thank you, Debbie, for letting us know about her passing.

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    1. You're welcome, Phyllis. I regret not owning some of her furniture, but I do have a couple of things her hands created that I use -- an African-inspired dress she made that my Dasia-as-Maya-Angelou-doll wears and one of her wood carved ink pens. I purchased one for myself and several as gifts for friends.

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  13. Thank you so much for delivering this new even though it is not the outcome I had hoped for. Vanessa had been on my mind for quite some time. And I've often thought...if something happens to a blogger, how would the rest of us even know. So again, thank you for letting us know. I thought Vanessa was most talented and personally I will miss her and her doll family (especially Dashia who she dressed so very well! May Vanessa rest in peace.

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    1. You're welcome, April. I think Dasia was her doll-saving grace after she was no longer able to write doll stories and create Youtube videos. When I spoke with her a few weeks ago, I asked her if she had any dolls in the room with her (she was bedbound by then). She said, "Yes, Dasia," she mentioned one or two other dolls but I don't remember their names. I'm just glad Dasia was there with her to give her doll comfort and possible hope that she could resume sewing for her eventually.

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  14. This was very sad news. Her blog was one of the first blogs that I started to visit regularly. I might have started visiting it even before I started visiting yours. I am sure one of your blogs lead me to the other.

    Rest in peace Vanessa.

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    1. Yes. I still can't believe it. I know she was very sick, but it's still hard to believe she's gone. In case anyone wanted to know, the following was shared on Facebook yesterday:

      Memorial service for Vanessa R. Morrison....
      Oct. 21st, 2017 3pm
      Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home
      914 Scenic Hwy
      Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045

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  15. Memorial service for Vanessa R. Morrison....
    Oct. 21st, 2017 3pm
    Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home
    914 Scenic Hwy
    Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045

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    1. I just came over to this post to ask if you knew anything about services for her. Thank you for sharing this information. While I won't be able to attend, I would like to send something for her family.

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    2. You're welcome, Phyllis. I think that would be a nice gesture. I plan to send something as well.

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    3. Here is a link to Vanessa online obituary.
      http://www.levettfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Vanessa-Morrison/

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    4. I just called the funeral home and was told the service will be at 4 p.m. EST.
      Oct. 21st, 2017 4pm
      Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home
      914 Scenic Hwy
      Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045

      Here again is a link to Vanessa's obituary where you can share a memory or light a candle.
      http://www.levettfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Vanessa-Morrison/

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  16. Thanks, Debbie, for sharing this news and for this beautiful tribute-post. Like many others here, I never met Vanessa Morrison in person, but I felt that I "knew" her through her blog with her passion for dolls and people and pets. She inspired the best in us. I will miss her. But I am glad she is at peace now. No more pain.

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    1. You're welcome, D7ana. I saw a photo again of Vanessa today, taken last July, when she celebrated her 48th birthday. She looked so happy and vibrant with money pinned to her dress. In her reply to my comment to the original post with that photo, she wrote that she had really never celebrated her birthdays before. I am so happy for her that she was able to do it then. She was still here for her 49th but not well enough to respond to happy birthday wishes received on FB.

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  17. Here is a link to Vanessa's memories and condolences guest book that will remain online permanently.



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  18. I read this post weeks ago and was too heartbroken to comment at the time. Vanessa was such an inspiration in so many ways. I admired not only her work but also her faith and positive attitude. It makes me smile to think of how she lived life to the fullest. She was always juggling two or three projects, hobbies, and whatever else she could. We met up a few times and she was such a sweet person. My daughters remember her as the "doll lady" we would meet at the park. She will be missed. Thanks for sharing this news.

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    1. Hi Jewell,

      I am happy for you that you were able to spend time with Vanessa. She did live life fully and I believe she was able to accomplish everything that was on her bucket list of things to do. She knew her time here was limited but did not let that knowledge keep her from achieving her goals.

      She is missed. I still think about her almost daily and find it difficult to believe she is gone.
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  19. Hi there, I just wanted to comment and say hello and thank you for your post and the comments that followed. I just found out about Vanessa yesterday. :-( Today I've been going to down memory lane in her blog and I clicked on a link from 2011 where she given you a shout out.

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    1. Hi Kenya,

      I am still in disbelief that Vanessa is gone. She will live forever in our memories and through her creativity that many of us were blessed with, her blog being one of her creative endeavors.

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  20. I only just found out about Vanessa. I have been worried about her. I'm so sad to hear that she has passed away. Hers was one of the first couple of blogs I followed,and it inspired me to start my own blog. She seemed like such a sweet lady. She had many talents,and I will miss seeing her beautiful creations and following her doll stories.It does bring up the thought that if something happens to a blogger,it would be good to have someone to let their followers know. We become so familiar with people we follow that they seem like friends. I have been watching for a post from Vanessa's blog for months,so while I am sorry to hear this, I'm glad to finally know.

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    1. Hi Tam,

      Vanessa is truly missed. I think about her at least one time a week. When I travel back to reference some of my posts and see that she commented, it makes me smile. She still lives on in the hearts of those who knew her.

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  21. I know that I am late but I knew something was wrong when she stopped posting. I loved her blog and her doll world. My mother lost her best friend to the same kind of cancer a year ago. I hate cancer! Cancer needs to be DESTROYED. I'm so sad to heat this. This hurts my heart! She will be missed!

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    1. Yes, KenyaDoll, sadly, Vanessa succumbed to her cancer battle. I still think about her often and miss her presence.

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  22. I remember when I first found out about her YouTube channel. I was around 10, or 11 at the time and I just remember being so mesmerized by her channel. Her stories were so interesting and my child-like mind was so drawn in. I felt as if I knew the characters personally. She was such an inspiration and one of the reasons I wanted to do doll stories and hoped to be as good as she was! I enjoyed reading her blog posts all the way up until the end. I craved so badly to one day meet her and when I found out about her initial passing (which was about 2 months after she passed.) I cried as if I knew her personally, it hurt so badly because I felt as though I grew up with her. She was like a role-model to me despite I never met her.

    (Sorry for the rambling, this post brought up emotions in me. ♥)

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    1. I understand how you fell/felt about Vanessa. She inspired so many people in the doll world through her doll creativity and in real life by being the kind-hearted, compassionate person I knew her to be. We all continue to miss her and think fondly of her often.

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